Soc 351: Sociology of the Family
CalStateFullerton
Spring 2006
Ticket # 17470
Instructor: Jennifer Jazayeri
Class Hours: T/TH 8:30-9:45AM
Classroom: H414
Office Hours: T/TH 10:00-11:00 AM and by appointment
Office Location:
Email: (preferred contact method)
Alternate email:
Voicemail: (949) 582-4900 X3276
Webpage: (Blackboard will be used regularly)
Course Description:Prerequisites: Sociology 101 and completion the General Education Category III.C.1.This course looks at the family as a social institution. We will explore the family through theoretical perspectives using the sociological imagination. Historical and current trends in the American family will be examined, as well as, cross-cultural practices. Sociological concepts, terms, and theories will be applied to a range of topics, including: work, social class, partner selection, marriage, parenting, socialization, divorce, family violence, and family diversity. (3) units
Course Objectives:
- To become familiar with and understand the concepts, theories, and issues relating to the sociological study of the family.
- To become knowledgeable about socio-cultural and economical factors affecting the family including: mate selection, marriage,and the socialization of children.
- Increase ones understanding of marriage and family and the overall implications this understanding may have on one’s life and present day society.
- Be able to discuss, analyze, and write about relevant sociological issues related to the study of marriage and the family.
Required Readings
Eshleman, J. Ross & Bulcroft, Richard A. (2006; Eleventh Edition). The Family. Pearson/ Allyn & Bacon Publishing.
*Additional readings may be handed out in class or posted on Blackboard.
Course Requirements
Attendance/Class Participation: It is expected that each student will strive to attend all class meetings. Participation in class meetings is required and will enhance the learning experience. Daily attendance will be rewarded and 5 extra credit points will be given at the end of the semester to all students who miss zero classes. Students must come to class prepared, having read the assigned chapters before class begins. Those students who attend class regularly and read the assigned materials will be able to participate with confidence. Material may be covered in class that is not in your textbook, and will be used on exams and other assignments. Attendance will be taken at each class meeting. It is understandable that personal obligations do come up. Students will be allowed 3 hours of absence without penalty. Any absence beyond 3 hours (2 classes) will result in a loss of five (5) points per absence. These points will be deducted from the students’ total score at the end of the semester. Arriving to class late or leaving early may count as an absence. Participation points may be earned in class by contributing to group discussions after watching videos or other in class assignments. Participation is worth 25 points total. It is the student’s responsibility to drop him or herself from the course if he/she does not intend to complete the semester. Please contact a classmate if you miss class or have questions related to an assignment.
Name/Email/Phone #______
Name/Email/Phone #______
Classroom Conduct Expectations: Class will start on time so plan on being in your seat with your attention focused on learning. It is understandable that jobs and/or traffic can cause occasional delays. Please enter the classroom quietly if you are late and do not disturb those around you. Be sure to get the material that was missed from a classmate when class is over, not during class time. Excessive tardiness will result in the student being asked to leave the class. Talking outside of class discussions will not be tolerated. This is disrespectful to the instructor as well as to students who are trying to learn. All pagers and cell phones must be turned off and put away during class meetings, including the vibrate mode, which can cause distractions. If anyone has a valid excuse for needing his/her cell phone turned on vibrate, please see the instructor before class begins. Students who violate the classroom conduct expectations will first receive a warning, than be asked to leave the class. If the problem continues, the student may be dropped from the class.
Exams: : Exam #1 will consist of 50 multiple choice questions, in addition to 2 short essay questions. This will be worth 75 points. Exam #2 is also worth 75 points and will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and one short essay question. Exam #3 (Final) will consist of 75 multiple choice questions and will be worth 75 points. You will need a green scantron (#882) for each exam as well as a #2 pencil. In addition, you will need a completely blank blue book (no name) for exams #1 and #2.
Reaction Papers: Students will write reaction papers to videos shown in class. Assignments will be discussed in class and will be due the following class meeting. Students should type entries on the computer, using a 12 point font and staple the pages together, when there are multiple pages. Points will be deducted if multiple pages are not stapled. Most entries should not exceed one full page. Each paper will be worth ten (10) points for a total of 50 points if all entries are completed correctly. It is imperative that students attend class, as the assignments will only be given during class meetings. In order to receive full credit on these assignments the student must follow directions and answer the question(s) thoroughly, using examples from class/videos.
Group Project: One group project will be assigned for the semester, worth 50 points. This project will be completed in class, as well as on your own time. A short presentation will be how your group is graded and all group members must be present to receive credit. Each group member will be responsible for turning in an outline the day of the presentation containing his/her information. Students who leave class early or arrive late this day will have 10 points deducted from their grade on the assignment. You will receive a handout with further instructions at a later date.
Analysis Papers: Two papers will be assigned in which the student will approach a topic and analyze a situation. Each paper will be worth 50 points and must be typed, double-spaced, with a 12-pt font. These papers will be approximately 2-3 pages in length and must be stapled. A minimum of 8 terms/concepts incorporated into the paper from class lecture or text book should be underlined. Paper #1 will require the student to watch a television show and analyze a family situation and paper #2 will require the student to interview an older person he or she knows. More detailed instructions will be handed out in class at a later date.
Makeup Exams/Late Paper Policy: Makeup exams will not be given, unless the student can provide written proof of a medical emergency why he/she missed the assigned exam time. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor if he/she has missed an exam, before the next class meeting, in order to make arrangements to makeup the exam. A 10% deduction will be taken for each day the exam is late and will be taken from the total points possible. Late papers will not be accepted unless the student can provide written proof of a medical emergency why he/she missed class the day the paper was due. Once again, it is imperative that students who miss class contact a fellow classmate to find out what was missed. Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the assigned due date and may not be emailed to the instructor later that evening.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty consists of cheating or helping someone else to cheat. This includes, but is not limited to: talking during exams, copying another students’ exam, allowing someone to copy from your exam, using “cheat sheets,” plagiarism, fraud or document falsification. Please see your student handbook for more information about academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated by the instructor and any student suspected of cheating will receive a failing grade for the assignment and/or course and may be turned in for further disciplinary action.
Grading: Your Points
Test #175 points______
Test #275 points______
Test #3 (final)75 points______
Video Reactions50 points______
Group Project50 points______
TV Show Paper50 points______
Interview Paper50 points______
Participation25 points______
Total450 points______
Grading Scale:
405-450= A
360-404= B
315-359= C
270-314= D
Below 269= F
Tentative Class Schedule (subject to change)
Week 1
1/31 Chapter 1
2/2Chapter 1
Week 2
2/7Chapter 2
2/9Chapter 2
Week 3
2/14Chapter 3
2/16Chapter 3
Week 4
2/21Chapter 4
2/23Chapter 5
Week 5
2/28Chapter 6
3/2Group Project Due- Presentations
Week 6
3/7Test #1 (chapters 1-6)
3/9Chapter 7
Week 7
3/14Chapter 7
3/16Chapter 8
Week 8
3/21Chapter 8
3/23Chapter 9
Week 9
3/28Spring Break
3/30Spring Break
Week 10
4/4Chapter 10
4/6Chapter 10
Week 11
4/11Test #2 (chapters 7-10)
4/13Chapter 11
Week 12
4/18Chapter 11
TV Report Due
4/20Chapter 12
Week 13
4/25Chapter 12
4/27Chapter 13
Week 14
5/2Chapter 14
5/4Chapter 14
Week 15
5/9Chapter 15
5/11Chapter 15
Interview Paper Due
Week 16
5/16Chapter 16
5/18Chapter 16
Week 17
5/25Test #3 (Final- chapters 11-16)
9:30-11:20AM